Competition is fierce in the engineering training sector, so those who want to succeed have to develop new strategies that differentiate them from the norm.
This is the case at Midland Group Training Services (MGTS) — an employer-led membership organisation offering training that is tailored to individual company needs and can be provided on a local, regional or national level.
Investment in modern machine tools has also been central to its ability to deliver the best training for the current and future generations of engineers.
MGTS has a history going back 45 years, during which time it has trained thousands of apprentices.
Under the guidance of chief executive Lee Weatherly, MGTS, which has facilities in Coventry and Redditch, trains more than 200 apprentices a year; and while offering apprenticeships and training in general engineering, its main focus is on maintenance skills in the food-manufacturing sector (it counts many household names among its customers).
Mr Weatherly said: “People are often amazed at the amount of engineering that takes place in what are seen as non-engineering environments such as food manufacture.
“While these businesses are not engineering-driven, they are totally reliant on engineering to keep production running, so training to the highest standard is vital.”
Like many training establishments, MGTS provides basic NVQ foundation-level training in turning, milling and fitting — what it refers to as its Bronze level.
From this foundation, MGTS differentiates itself from other training groups with its more-intensive Silver, Gold and Platinum qualifications; these allow employers to align training with specific requirements, giving them a much greater return on their investment.
“The decision to intensify our training delivery came out of austerity; when faced with cutbacks, others reduced what they provided, but we were determined to go the other way and enhance our programmes, to deliver greater value. Our ability to tailor training as part of a strategic review with our customers means we are simply giving customers what they need and want, while avoiding any disconnect between training qualifications and industry.”
Working in partnership
At these higher levels, MGTS offers training modules that encompass CNC programming, extended CNC programming, machine tool maintenance, cutting-tool technology and material science. To ensure that it can optimise the training it offers, MGTS has entered into partnership with Burlescombe-based XYZ Machine Tools (
www.xyzmachinetools.com), which has supplied a number of machines to the training provider’s Coventry and Redditch facilities.
These comprise manual machines, ProtoTrak-controlled lathes and mills, and CNC turning centres and machining centres — including a CT52LTY Y-axis lathe and a VMC 710.
These machines form part of an investment programme that will see the purchase of additional XYZ machines, adding to the £250,000 worth of machines already installed.
Mr Weatherly says: “Working in technical partnership with XYZ Machine Tools is allowing us to develop our ‘up-skilling training’. The company wants to share its knowledge with us, and it talks to us in educational terms, not purely machine tools.
“That said, we have no intention of following in the footsteps of other training establishments and investing in high-end multi-axis machines. Our focus is on developing machine tool skills through manual machines, adding CNC skills as the trainees progress.”
The partnership between MGTS and XYZ came about through the engineering training umbrella organisation Group Training Association England (GTA), of which XYZ is a Premium Partner that offers support to member organisations.
Education sales director John Aspinall says: “At XYZ, we recognise the importance of training and developing skills, which is why we are happy to invest our time and resources working with individual training establishments — and associations such as GTA.
“By providing the range of machines and support that training organisations such as MGTS require, we can ensure that students make the transition from manual to CNC and are prepared for life back at their employer.”
This ‘education message’ is important for XYZ Machine Tools; as a result, it has installed machines at more than 200 universities, colleges and training establishments across the UK.
To further enhance these working relationships, XYZ has created its Educational Partnership Scheme; this provides enhanced support that ranges from technical manuals to face-to-face training for technicians, trainers and students alike.